Authorities in Florida have charged two individuals in connection with the horrific torture and murder of a frequent teenage runaway, whose remains have yet to be found.
Teenage runaway meets horrible fate
Miranda Corsette, 16, a teenager from Gulfport, disappeared after meeting 35-year-old Steven Gress, whom she allegedly connected with through a dating app.
The two spent Valentine’s Day together on February 15 before Gress returned her home later that evening, according to St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway.
However, the following day, Corsette voluntarily went back to Gress’ residence, where she remained for several days along with Gress and his live-in partner, 37-year-old Michelle Brandes, authorities said during a Friday press conference.
According to an affidavit obtained by the Tampa Bay Times, the situation took a violent turn on February 20 when the couple accused Corsette of stealing a ring.
In response, investigators say, they began torturing her over the course of several days.
By February 24, Corsette’s grandmother, who served as her primary caregiver following the deaths of the teen’s parents, reported her missing.
The grandmother explained that Corsette had a history of running away but typically returned home. This time, however, she failed to do so.
Teenage runaway was known by police
Commander Mary Farrand, acting police chief for Gulfport, noted that law enforcement was well-acquainted with the missing teen.
“She is a frequent runaway and she has a history of mental health issues as well as drug abuse,” Farrand stated, adding that Corsette was also the mother of an 11-month-old child.
Details from the affidavit paint a gruesome picture of what unfolded inside the couple’s home.
Investigators allege that Gress and Brandes held Corsette captive for over a week, repeatedly torturing and beating her.
The abuse escalated to the point where they allegedly forced a billiard ball into her mouth and wrapped her face with plastic wrap, causing her to suffocate.
Once the teen was dead, police say Gress transported her body in a vehicle and drove to Brandes’ mother’s home.
Evidence collected at the scene led authorities to believe Corsette’s body was dismembered before being disposed of in a dumpster in Hillsborough County.
Law enforcement officials have since located the dumpster but have yet to recover Corsette’s remains, which they now believe are buried in a landfill.
Alleged killers of teenage runaway arrested
Gress and Brandes have both been charged with first-degree murder, with Gress facing an additional charge of kidnapping.
At the time of his arrest, Gress was already in custody at Pinellas County Jail on an aggravated assault charge for allegedly brandishing a harpoon at Brandes.
He was also facing charges of resisting arrest and possession of marijuana and methamphetamine.
Court records show that Gress is being held without bail and has been assigned a public defender, who has entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Meanwhile, Brandes surrendered to authorities on Saturday and is also being held without bond. It remains unclear if she has retained legal counsel.
Police Chief Holloway stated that the investigation remains ongoing and warned that additional charges may be forthcoming.
“This is a horrific crime,” Holloway remarked during the press conference. “We are still investigating and we want to make sure we bring justice for Miranda.”
He highlighted law enforcement’s commitment to ensuring all responsible parties are held accountable.
“We will look at every piece of evidence we can find,” he added.
Florida kids rob electronics store
Elsewhere in Florida, authorities are searching for a group of young suspects who carried out a brazen smash-and-grab robbery at an electronics repair store, making off with thousands of dollars worth of merchandise in a matter of seconds.
The burglary took place in late February at Techy Repair, a business specializing in electronic device repairs.
Surveillance footage captured the moment three masked juveniles broke into the store around 1:00 a.m., swiftly stealing high-value items before fleeing the scene, CBS News reported Friday.
Video evidence revealed one of the suspects hurling a brick through the store’s front window, shattering the glass and providing entry for the trio.
Once inside, they rushed toward the section where the most expensive gadgets were stored, grabbing as many as possible before making their escape.
Store owner Yovany Herrera made it clear he believes that the robbery was premeditated.
He recalled that the same children had visited the store just a week earlier, asking suspicious questions about high-priced inventory while waiting for their phones to charge.
“They ask if I have iPhone 15, iPhone 16, ask for the most expensive devices and check the position of the expensive devices,” Herrera told CBS News, suggesting they had been scoping out the store in preparation for the heist.
Herrera’s suspicions led him to ask the children to leave, but when he attempted to return one of their phones, they allegedly tried to force their way back inside.
“For me, it’s tough,” Herrera said, visibly dismayed by the crime. “When I see one kid, 10 years old, a little kid … this is the future for these people.”
Authorities in Fort Lauderdale are investigating whether the young thieves are connected to a larger criminal operation. Police estimate that the stolen merchandise amounts to approximately $9,000 in losses.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are working to identify the suspects and determine whether additional individuals were involved in orchestrating the robbery. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward.
At this time, no arrests have been made, and officials have not disclosed whether they have any leads on the whereabouts of the stolen electronics. Investigators are reviewing security footage for potential clues that may help bring those responsible to justice.
